Tool chest update #2: Design matures more

The tool chest design continues to mature. My goal is to have “modular” chests that are built in the Gerstner style, perhaps beefed up a bit for more handling strength. The smoked plastic doors provide lockable dust protection. Have worked out where most things will go in.

Well wont you have fun filling it with tools!You may need a third tier. You going to need all those saws?Don’t forget the drawer for the marking knife, stone, leather,dividers calipersAnd all the other shiny tools you pick up as you go along!Not that I should speak.. Idealistically…

Me again. I like the idea of transparent doors, just thinking out loud.. If its made of plexiglass, it’ll scratch easily and it’s electrostatic., so dust clings to it. Then again, better the doors than the tools. Hmm.

Jonathan, This is one of five carts tiered like this. I’ve just gotten started designing. All the tools represented are present and need a home. What started it all is a “temporary” chest that I built 30 years ago as an experiment worked out so well, that when I upgrade it, the “stop here” line will have moved quite a bit! So the old chest will see service as a home for a carpentry power tools, i.e. hammer drill, sawzall, skil saw, power planer, etc. That will be a base for a “trades” tier, i.e. plumbing, electrical, mechanical, etc. There will be a carving tier and an abrasive tier. The abrasive tier is done, topped by a laminate top holding DMT set. Then there is the “masters” tier where all the precision instruments, layout equipment, precision power hand tools and accessories are. (hands on cheeks pursing lips to a pucker…) I’m gonna get SO CONFUSED, he says.DanK

yes, the plexiglass is a concern for dust collection. There is, however, a spray to put on it that sheds the dust, actually repels the dust. Scratching, yes probably so. But it’s plastic that I already have. Haven’t decided on it for sure, but it does look pretty sharp in the pic. Doors SO get in the way, too.DanK

Today I was able to drive a stake in the ground and see some (little) progress. Waffling about a decision is very time consuming. I’ve decided to go with the plastic doors because they can be folded back on the case out of the way. So the decision is made.Now I’m going to sort out the walnut and begin joinery details and make smaller decisions about panels. Oh, and look for Gerstner type chest hardware like the handles and corners etc. Casters are a big budget item for other cases, but not for these.DanK